Refusal to convert to Islam cost Stanczyk his life

3rd July 2009

A Polish engineer murdered by the Taliban refused to convert to Islam to save his life, a former prisoner held by the same gang has revealed.


The man, known only as Amir for security reasons, said that his guards told him that Piotr Stanczak had rejected an offer by his kidnappers to follow Islam in return for them sparing his life. The 42-year-old Pole was later beheaded by the Taliban, who released a grizzly video of the murder.

Speaking to the German press, Amir, who also shared a cell with Stanczak for some time, said the Pole had won the respect of his guards, especially one called Abdullah.

“Piotr never showed any sign of nervousness or fear,” said Amir, quoting Abdullah. � ...